Package and method for creating such a package for assisting a person in transitioning from one disposable absorbent product to another

ABSTRACT

A package includes a plurality of a first absorbent product from a first product category and at least one sample of a second absorbent product from a second product category. The first absorbent product and the second absorbent product have a common characteristic. A transition aid has a first region including a depiction of the first absorbent product, a second region including a depiction of the second absorbent product, and a third region including at least one scale of reference comprising a depiction of the common characteristic of both the first absorbent product and the second absorbent product. The depiction of each of the first absorbent product and the second absorbent product is positioned along the scale to indicate the common characteristics of each product. A method for creating such a package is also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/751,632 filed Jan. 28, 2013, which a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/762,884 filed Apr.19, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,386,326, which is a divisional applicationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/304,342 filed Dec. 15, 2005, nowabandoned. Each of these applications are incorporated herein byreference it their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to methods for assistingconsumers in transitioning from a current absorbent product to a futureabsorbent product. Also described are aids for assisting in thistransition. In particular, the transition aids provide a consumer with ameans for comparing different characteristics of their current absorbentproduct with characteristics of a future absorbent product.

Absorbent articles function both to contain discharged body materialsand to isolate these materials from the body of the wearer and from thewearer's garments and bed clothing. Disposable absorbent articles havingmany different basic designs are known in the art. For example, femininehygiene products such as sanitary napkins and panty liners are absorbentarticles that are typically worn in the crotch region of anundergarment. Interlabial absorbent articles are feminine hygieneproducts that are typically designed to be worn within the interlabialspace of a wearer. Other feminine hygiene absorbent articles such astampons are designed to be worn within the vaginal interior. Adultincontinence products such as incontinent pads, shields, guards,undergarments, briefs, and the like, and children's diapers and trainingpants are typically worn in the crotch region of an undergarment or wornas an undergarment. All of these absorbent articles are designed toabsorb or otherwise contain liquid and other discharges from the humanbody and to prevent body and clothing soiling.

The number of different types and features of absorbent products oftenmakes it confusing to consumers which products would best meet theirprotection needs. For example, absorbent products may vary in theirabsorbent capacities, their size (e.g., their length, the area ofundergarment which they cover, etc.), their thicknesses, and theirinclusion or non-inclusion of certain features such as wings, flaps, andthe like. In addition, even if a consumer has selected a product thatmeets his or her needs, the product may not be available at the store atwhich the consumer is currently shopping. As such, the consumer may beforced to make an alternative selection of a less appropriate product.

While the manufacturers of such products have been adept at providing anadequate selection of absorbent products having different features anddegrees of protection, they have had less success in educating theindividual consumer as to which product is appropriate for theindividual consumer's needs. Even when consumers have been successfullyeducated as to the best product for their protection needs, not allstores may stock the best product, but rather may only stock someclosely related products. Currently, consumers in these situations areleft to a “trial and error” approach to selecting an appropriateabsorbent article from those available. They must buy a product having aparticular feature, try the product to determine if the product isappropriate for their protection needs, and then reselect anotherproduct having a different feature, if the previously selected productis found to be inadequate for their needs. For example, if a consumer isinterested in a product having a particular absorbency, the consumermust buy a product having a particular absorbency level, try the productto determine if either leakage occurs or under utilized capacity ispresent, and then reselect another absorbency level having either ahigher or lower absorbency depending on the previous results, until theappropriate product for their needs is found. Such a process can beaggravating to the consuming at best, or worse, it could traumatize theconsumer if they used an inappropriate product that leaked in public.Either situation can alienate the consumer from ever using that brand ortype of absorbent article again.

This issue is particularly problematic when a consumer is transitioningfrom one type or brand of absorbent article to another. Consumerstypically do not have a good understanding about how their currentabsorbent product compares to other available products on the market.For example, if a consumer is transitioning from a feminine hygieneproduct, such as a napkin or pad, to an incontinence product, it may bedifficult for the consumer to determine how the features of her currentnapkin or pad compare to the features of the needed incontinenceproduct. The same may be true for consumers transitioning from a productprovided by one company to a similar product provided by anothercompany.

Therefore, there is a need for a method for assisting a consumer intransitioning from a currently used absorbent product to a futureabsorbent product, and for recommending an appropriate future absorbentproduct. In addition, there is a need for instructional materialdesigned to aid consumers in transitioning from their current absorbentproduct to a future absorbent product.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to methods for assistingconsumers in transitioning from a current absorbent product to a futureabsorbent product. Also described are transition aids for assisting inthis transition. In particular, the transition aids provide a consumerwith a means for comparing different characteristics of their currentabsorbent product with characteristics of a future absorbent product.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a transition aid forassisting a consumer in transitioning from a current absorbent productchoice to a future absorbent product choice. The transition aidcomprises a first region comprising a depiction of a first group ofrelated absorbent products, wherein the first group of related absorbentproducts comprises a current absorbent product choice of the consumer; asecond region comprising a depiction of a second group of relatedabsorbent products, wherein the second group of related absorbentproducts comprises a future absorbent product choice of the consumer;and a third region comprising at least one scale of reference comprisinga depiction of a common characteristic of both the first group ofrelated absorbent products and of the second group of related absorbentproducts; wherein the depiction of each of the first and second group ofrelated absorbent products is positioned along the scale to indicate thecommon characteristic of each depicted product.

Also provided is a transition aid for assisting a consumer intransitioning from a current absorbent product choice to a futureabsorbent product choice. The transition aid comprises a first regioncomprising a depiction of a first group of related absorbent productswherein the first group of related absorbent products comprises acurrent absorbent product choice of the consumer; a second regioncomprising a depiction of a second group of related absorbent products,wherein the second group of related absorbent products comprises afuture absorbent product choice of the consumer; a third regioncomprising a scale of reference comprising a depiction of a first commoncharacteristic of both the first group of related absorbent products andof the second group of related absorbent products; wherein the thirdregion is adjacent to both the first region and the second region andwherein the depiction of each of the products in the first region and inthe second region is positioned along the scale of the third region toindicate the common characteristic of each depicted product; a fourthregion comprising a depiction of the first group of related absorbentproducts; a fifth region comprising a depiction of the second group ofrelated absorbent products; and a sixth region comprising a scale ofreference comprising a depiction of a second common characteristic ofboth the first group of related products and of the second group ofrelated products; wherein the sixth region is adjacent to both thefourth region and the fifth region and wherein the depiction of each ofthe products in the fourth region and in the fifth region is positionedalong the scale of the sixth region to indicate the commoncharacteristic of each depicted product.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a transition aidfor assisting a consumer in transitioning from a current absorbentproduct choice to a future absorbent product choice. The transition aidcomprises a first region comprising a depiction of a group of relatedabsorbent products; a second region comprising a scale of referencecomprising a depiction of a first common characteristic of the group ofrelated absorbent products; wherein the second region is adjacent to thefirst region and wherein the depiction of each of the products in thefirst region is positioned along the scale of the second region toindicate the common characteristic of each depicted product; a thirdregion comprising a depiction of the group of related absorbentproducts; and a fourth region comprising a scale of reference comprisinga depiction of a second common characteristic of the group of relatedabsorbent products; wherein the fourth region is adjacent to the thirdregion and wherein the depiction of each of the products in the thirdregion is positioned along the scale of the fourth region to indicatethe common characteristic of each depicted product.

Also provided is a method for assisting a consumer in transitioning froma current absorbent product choice to a future absorbent product choice.The method comprises receiving personal information from the consumerabout at least one need of the consumer; receiving information from theconsumer about an absorbent product currently used by the consumer;selecting a first group of related absorbent products, wherein the firstgroup of related absorbent products comprise the current absorbentproduct choice of the consumer; selecting at least one additional groupof related absorbent products; and providing the consumer with atransition aid, the transition aid comprising a first region comprisinga depiction of the first group of related absorbent products, a secondregion comprising a depiction of the at least one additional group ofrelated absorbent products, and a third region comprising at least onescale of reference comprising a depiction of a common characteristic ofboth the first group of related absorbent products and of the at leastone additional group of related absorbent products, wherein thedepiction of each of the first and at least one additional group ofrelated absorbent products is positioned along the scale to indicate thecommon characteristic of each depicted product.

Also provided is a method for assisting a consumer in transitioning froma current absorbent product choice to a future absorbent product choice.The method comprises receiving information from a store about theavailability of the absorbent products; selecting a first group ofrelated absorbent products, wherein the first group of related absorbentproducts comprise the current absorbent product choice of the consumer;selecting at least one additional group of related absorbent products,wherein the at least one additional group of related absorbent productsare available from the store; and providing the consumer with atransition aid, the transition aid comprising a first region comprisinga depiction of the first group of related absorbent products, a secondregion comprising a depiction of the at least one additional group ofrelated absorbent products, and a third region comprising at least onescale of reference comprising a depiction of a common characteristic ofboth the first group of related absorbent products and of the at leastone additional group of related absorbent products, wherein thedepiction of each of the first and at least one additional group ofrelated absorbent products is positioned along the scale to indicate thecommon characteristic of each depicted product.

In still another embodiment, a method for creating a package comprisinga transition aid for transitioning a consumer from an absorbent productin a first product category to an absorbent product in a second productcategory is provided. The method generally comprises selecting a firstabsorbent product in the first product category and selecting, by aprocessor, a second absorbent product in the second product category.The first absorbent product and the second absorbent product have acommon characteristic. A package is created for the first absorbentproduct. The package comprises a plurality of the first absorbentproduct, at least one sample of the second absorbent product, and atransition aid. The transition aid comprises a first region comprising adepiction of the first absorbent product, a second region comprising adepiction of the second absorbent product, and a third region comprisingat least one scale of reference comprising a depiction of the commoncharacteristic of both the first absorbent product and the secondabsorbent product. The depiction of each of the first absorbent productand the second absorbent product is positioned along the scale toindicate the common characteristics of each of the first absorbentproduct and the second absorbent product.

In a further embodiment, a system for creating a package comprising atransition aid for transitioning a consumer from an absorbent product ina first product category to an absorbent product in a second productcategory is provided. The system generally comprises a computing deviceand a processor programmed to receive, from the consumer, a selection ofa first absorbent product in the first product category; select a secondabsorbent product in the second product category, wherein the firstabsorbent product and the second absorbent product have a commoncharacteristic; and provide instructions to create a package for thefirst absorbent product. The package comprises a plurality of the firstabsorbent product, at least one sample of the second absorbent productand a transition aid. The transition aid comprises a first regioncomprising a depiction of the first absorbent product, a second regioncomprising a depiction of the second absorbent product, and a thirdregion comprising at least one scale of reference comprising a depictionof the common characteristic of both the first absorbent product and thesecond absorbent product. The depiction of each of the first absorbentproduct and the second absorbent product is positioned along the scaleto indicate the common characteristics of each of the first absorbentproduct and the second absorbent product.

In another embodiment, a package generally comprises a plurality of afirst absorbent product from a first product category and a transitionaid. The transition aid comprises a first region comprising a depictionof the first absorbent product, a second region comprising a depictionof a second absorbent product from a second product category wherein thefirst absorbent product and the second absorbent product have a commoncharacteristic, and a third region comprising at least one scale ofreference comprising a depiction of the common characteristic of boththe first absorbent product and the second absorbent product. Thedepiction of each of the first absorbent product and the secondabsorbent product is positioned along the scale to indicate the commoncharacteristics of each of the first absorbent product and the secondabsorbent product.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointedout hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate various configurations of a transition aid ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of a transition aid of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate various configurations of a transitionaid of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D illustrate various configurations of atransition aid of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D illustrate various configurations of atransition aid of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate various configurations of a transitionaid of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to methods for assistingconsumers in transitioning from a current absorbent product to a futureabsorbent product. Also described are transition aids for assisting inthis transition. In particular, the transition aids provide a consumerwith a means for comparing different characteristics of their currentabsorbent product with characteristics of a future absorbent product.

As used herein, the phrase “absorbent article” generally refers todevices which absorb and contain body fluids, and more specifically,refers to devices which are placed against or near the skin to absorband contain the various fluids discharged from the body. The phrase“absorbent article” may include both disposable and non-disposableabsorbent articles. Examples of absorbent articles include absorbentarticles intended for personal wear, such as diapers and training pants;incontinence products, such as pads, shields, guards, undergarments,briefs, and the like; feminine hygiene products, such as sanitarynapkins, panty liners, tampons, interlabial pads, and the like; otherpersonal garments; bandages; and the like.

The term “disposable” is used herein to describe absorbent articleswhich are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reusedas an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after asingle use).

The term “absorbent product” is intended to include an absorbentarticle, as well as a package comprising a plurality of individualabsorbent articles.

The term “consumer” is intended to include both the user of theabsorbent article, as well as a caregiver and/or a purchaser of theabsorbent product.

The term “store” is intended to include institutions, retailers, orother stores that provide a product to consumers.

The terms “current absorbent product” or “current absorbent productchoice” are used herein to describe an absorbent product (or products)that is currently being used or purchased by a consumer.

The terms “future absorbent product” or “future absorbent productchoice” are used herein to describe an absorbent product (or products)that is not currently being used or purchased by a consumer but that aconsumer may potentially transition into (e.g., a product which maypotentially be used or purchased by a consumer at some future time).

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a transition aid forassisting a consumer in transitioning from one product to anotherproduct. Preferably, the product is an absorbent product. In particular,the transition aid provides a means by which a consumer can compare anabsorbent product he or she is currently using to other absorbentproducts on the market. Typically the comparison is between two or moregroups of related products. For example, in one embodiment, thetransition aid comprises at least three distinct and separate regions.One region may comprise a depiction of a first group of absorbentproducts that are related to each other in some way, a second region maycomprise a depiction of a second group of absorbent products that arerelated to each other in some way, and a third region may comprise atleast one scale of reference that comprises a depiction of a commoncharacteristic of both the first and the second groups of relatedabsorbent products. Typically, the consumer's current absorbent productchoice is among the first group of related products, and the consumer'sfuture absorbent product choice is among the second group (and/or third,fourth, fifth, etc. groups, if applicable) of related products. Thescale of reference provides a means by which the different groups ofrelated products may be compared.

The transition aids of the present invention may be in any form suitablefor conveying information to the consumer. Preferably, the transitionaid is a visual aid. Alternately, or in addition, the transition aid maybe a tactile aid, i.e., the transition aid is in a form that deliversinformation to the consumer through touch. For example, the transitionaid may comprise varied arrangements of raised markings or dots, such asBraille writing, that can be identified by the consumer by touch.Although discussed primarily in terms of a visual aid, it is to beunderstood that the transition aids of the present disclosure may be inother suitable forms.

Generally, the absorbent products depicted in each region of thetransition aid are related to each other according to at least onecommon characteristic, i.e., the products within each region share somecharacteristic or relationship with the other products within theregion. The common characteristic may be related to some need or desireof the consumer, and may include, for example, a feature, a benefit, anattribute, a brand, a company, a distribution channel, a manufacturer, aproduct category, or some combination thereof. For example, in oneembodiment, the products may be related according to product category,i.e., all the products in the particular group are from the same productcategory. As used herein, the term “product category” means a group ofproducts having some features that are the same or a collection ofproducts sharing a common attribute. A product category may be general,or more specific. A general product category may include, for example,feminine hygiene products generally, incontinence products generally,children's diapers generally, training pants generally, and the like. Aproduct category may also be more specific. For example, a productcategory may be a particular type of absorbent article, such as tampons,interlabial pads, sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence pads,incontinence shields, incontinence guards, incontinence undergarments,or incontinence briefs, or may be a particular type of diaper ortraining pant, and the like.

It is advantageous to group the products according to product categoryin situations where the consumer is transitioning from one productcategory to another. For example, a consumer may be transitioning from afeminine hygiene product to an incontinence product, from a diaper to atraining pant, or other such transitions. The transition may even bewithin a general product category, e.g., from a tampon or interlabialpad to a sanitary napkin or panty liner. In these situations, one regionof the transition aid typically comprises a depiction of a first groupof related products from one product category, and a different region ofthe transition aid may comprise a depiction of a second group ofproducts that are related according to a different product category.Typically, the consumer's current product choice will be among eitherthe first or second group, and the consumer's future product choice willbe among the other group or groups.

In another embodiment, the products may be related according toavailability. For example, the group of products depicted in one regionof the transition aid may be available from one or more manufacturers orstores, and the group of products depicted in a different region of thetransition aid may be products available from a different manufactureror store.

In another embodiment, the products may be related according to brandand/or company. For example, the group of products depicted in oneregion of the transition aid may be of one brand and/or be made by onecompany, and the group of products depicted in a different region of thetransition aid may be of a different brand and/or be made by a differentcompany. This type of grouping is particularly beneficial for consumerswho may wish to try a product similar to their current product, but thatis made by a different company, or for consumers who may wish to try aproduct of a different brand.

In still another embodiment, the products may be related according tofeatures, benefits, and/or attributes of the products. As used herein,the term “benefits” means a product attribute that is expressed in termsof what the consumer gets from the product, rather than its physicalcharacteristics or features. Examples of benefits include protection,comfort discretion, convenience, price, and the like. As used herein,the term “attributes” means product features, functionality, andperformance of the absorbent products that are designed into theproduct. Examples of product attributes include absorbency, saturationretention capacity, rewet capacity, dryness, and the like. As usedherein, the term “features” means the solution to a consumer need orproblem, i.e., the way the benefits are provided to the consumer.Examples of product features include type of cover materials (e.g.,film, nonwoven, etc.), wings/non-wings, product elements designed forodor control, thickness, length of the product, flat or curved product,and the like. This type of grouping is particularly beneficial when aconsumer is interested in an absorbent product having a certain benefit,feature, and/or attribute, or a particular mixture of benefits,features, and/or attributes.

The products in one group of products may be related to each otheraccording to the same characteristic by which another group of productsare related, or alternately, may be related according to a differentcharacteristic(s). For example, in one embodiment, a first group ofrelated products in one region may be related to each other according toproduct category, and a second (or additional) group of related productsin a different region may also be related to each other according toproduct category. Typically, in this instance, the absorbent products inthe first group of related products are of one product category (e.g.,feminine hygiene products) and the absorbent products in the second (oradditional) group of related products are of a different productcategory (e.g., incontinence products). Alternately, in another example,a first group of related products may be related to each other accordingto product category, and a second (or additional) group of relatedproducts may be related to each other according to a differentcharacteristic (e.g., a different feature, benefit, attribute, etc.).Numerous combinations of other product characteristics may likewise becompared using a transition aid of the present invention.

The groups of related absorbent products may be depicted on thetransition aid using any suitable method. For example, the absorbentproducts may be depicted using a letter, a number, a word, a symbol, apicture, or combinations thereof. In one example, one or all of thegroups of related products are depicted as a collection of words, witheach individual absorbent product in the group being identified by aparticular word (or words). An example of this embodiment is illustratedin FIG. 2, wherein the name of each individual absorbent product in thedepicted groups are identified by a particular word 29 or words 28. Incertain embodiments, the word or image depicting the consumer's currentproduct choice may be highlighted or otherwise emphasized in thecollection of words or images for easier identification. In instanceswhere the transition aid provides a recommendation of a future productchoice, as discussed below, the depiction of the recommended futureproduct choice may likewise be highlighted or emphasized.

As discussed above, the transition aid may also comprise at least onescale of reference. The scale of reference typically comprises adepiction of a common characteristic of the groups of related absorbentproducts depicted in other regions of the transition aid, and provides ameans by which the comparison of groups of related absorbent productsmay be made. The common characteristic depicted in the scale ofreference may be related to a consumer need or desire, and may include,for example, a benefit, an attribute, a feature, and combinationsthereof, as discussed above. Typically, the scale of reference depicts arange of values of a certain common characteristic shared by one or moregroups of related products depicted in other regions of the transitionaid. For example, in one embodiment, the scale of reference may depict arange of values for absorbent capacity. Typically, the values areordered marks arranged on the scale at a fixed interval. The values maybe depicted using any suitable means including, for example, a letter, anumber, a word, a symbol, a picture, or combinations thereof.

The transition aids of the present invention may comprise one scale ofreference, or alternately, may comprise two or more scales of reference.Using two or more scales of reference is advantageous if multiplecomparisons are to be made between the related groups of absorbentproducts. Although each scale typically depicts a different productcharacteristic, it is also contemplated that a visual aid may comprisetwo or more scales, with each scale depicting the same productcharacteristic.

In certain instances where the transition aids comprise more than onescale of reference, the scales of reference may be located together inone region of the transition aid, or more preferably, each scale may belocated in a distinct region of the transition aid.

The various regions of the transition aid are typically arranged so thateach region is adjacent to at least one other region of the transitionaid. For purposes of the present disclosure, two regions are “adjacent”to each other if they are not separated by a third region. There may,however, optionally be some spacing between some or all of the regionsof the transition aid, and even between two adjacent regions (e.g., tworegions may be adjacent to each other even if they are not directlycontacting each other). For example, referring to FIG. 1A, the region 31comprising Product Group A is adjacent to the region 32 comprising Scale1, even though the region 31 comprising Product Group A and the region32 comprising Scale 1 are not in direct contact, i.e., they areseparated by a space 34.

Typically, the region (or regions) comprising the scale is locatedbetween the region comprising the current product choice and the regioncomprising the future product choice to allow for easy comparison.However, other configurations are also possible. For example, the regioncomprising the scale of reference may be adjacent to only one otherregion, e.g., adjacent to the region comprising the consumer's currentproduct choice or adjacent to the region comprising the consumer'sfuture product choice. In instances where the transition aid comprisesmore than one region comprising a scale of reference, otherconfigurations are also possible.

Referring to FIG. 1A, one configuration of a visual aid of the presentdisclosure is illustrated. The visual aid 35 comprises three differentregions. One region 31 comprises a depiction of a first group of relatedproducts (e.g., Product Group A), a second region 33 comprises adepiction of a different group of related products (e.g., Product GroupB), and a third region 32 comprises a scale of reference (e.g., Scale1). As discussed herein, the scale of reference may comprise a depictionof a common characteristic of both groups of related products (e.g., acharacteristic of Product Group A and Product Group B). The threeregions are depicted on a medium 30, and optionally a space 34 separatestwo or more of the regions. As can be seen from FIG. 1A, the region 32comprising the scale of reference may be positioned so that it isadjacent to both regions 31, 33 depicting the two groups of productsthat are being compared. Alternately, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, theregion 32 comprising the scale of reference may be positioned so that itis adjacent to only one of the other regions.

Typically, the products depicted in each region of the visual aid arepositioned within the region so that they line up in some manner withcorresponding markings on the scale of reference. For example, referringnow to FIG. 2, an exemplary visual aid present on a package of absorbentproducts 20, is depicted. A first region 23 of the visual aid comprisesa depiction of a group of products related according to one productcategory, e.g., feminine hygiene products. A second region 21 comprisesa depiction of a group of products related according to a differentproduct category, e.g., incontinence products. A third region 22 of thevisual aid comprises a scale of reference that depicts a commoncharacteristic of the absorbent products depicted in the first region 23and the second region 21. The scale of reference depicts a range ofvalues for a particular product characteristic, in this exampleabsorbent capacity in grams, that is represented on the scale as orderedmarks 27 at a fixed interval 26. As can be seen from FIG. 2, theabsorbent products depicted in the first region 23 and the second region21 are positioned within their respective regions so that the individualproducts line up with the value on the scale that represents theproduct's particular absorbent capacity. In this manner, a consumer mayeasily compare how the absorbency of a product in one product categorycompares to the absorbency of a product in another product category;e.g., how the absorbent capacity of a particular feminine hygieneproduct compares to the absorbent capacity of a particular incontinenceproduct. For example, a consumer may locate her current product choice24 in the first region 23 of the visual aid and, referring to the scaleof reference in the third region 22, may locate a possible futureproduct choice 25 in the second region 21 that has a similar absorbentcapacity as her current product choice 24.

A similarly arranged visual aid may be used to compare other absorbentproduct characteristics. For example, in another embodiment, the thirdregion 22 may comprise a scale of reference that depicts a differentcommon characteristic (e.g., a different benefit, attribute, and/orfeature) of the absorbent products depicted in the first region 23 andthe second region 21. In yet a different embodiment, the first region 23and the second region 21 may comprise depictions of groups of productsrelated according to other characteristics. For example, the firstregion 23 may comprise a depiction of a group of products of one brandand/or that are made by one company, and the second region 21 maycomprise a depiction of a group of products of a different brand and/orthat are made by a different company.

In certain embodiments, the visual aid may comprise more than tworegions each depicting a different group of related products and one ormore region comprising one or more scale of reference. For example,referring to FIG. 3A, another configuration of a visual aid of thepresent invention is illustrated. The visual aid 47 comprises fourdifferent regions located on a medium 40 that are optionally separatedby a space 44 between regions. A first region 41 comprises a depictionof a first group of related products (e.g., Product Group A), a secondregion 43 comprises a depiction of a second group of related products(e.g., Product Group B), a third region 45 comprises a depiction of athird group of related products (e.g., Product Group C), and a fourthregion 42 comprises a scale of reference (e.g., Scale 1). As discussedabove, the scale of reference typically comprises a depiction of acommon characteristic of the groups of related products that are beingcompared. In this instance, Scale 1 may comprise a depiction of a commoncharacteristic of Product Group A, Product Group B, and Product Group C,to allow for comparison between all three groups of products. As can beseen from FIG. 3A, the region 42 comprising the scale of reference maybe positioned so that it is adjacent to two regions depicting twodifferent groups of products that are being compared (e.g., ProductGroup A and Product Group B). Alternately, as illustrated in FIG. 3B,the region comprising the scale of reference may be positioned so thatit is adjacent to only one of the other regions.

Although the visual aids illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B comprise onlythree different regions that depict groups of related products, it iscontemplated that the visual aid may further comprise four, five, ormore additional regions that each depict a different group of relatedproducts. In instances where the visual aid comprises numerous differentregions each depicting a different group of related products, it may beadvantageous for the visual aid to comprise two or more regions eachcomprising the same scale of reference. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3C, the visual aid may comprise two regions 42, 46 that eachcomprise the same scale of reference (e.g., Scale 1). The regionscomprising the scale of reference are preferably positioned adjacent todifferent regions depicting the groups of related products, in order toallow for easier comparison of the products using the scale ofreference.

Visual aids such as those illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C areparticularly useful for comparing groups of products that are relatedwithin each group according to a common characteristic such as productcategory, company, and/or brand. For example, Product Group A (depictedin a first region 41) may comprise products made by one company, ProductGroup B (depicted in a second region 43) may comprise products made by adifferent company, Product Group C (depicted in a third region 45) maycomprise products made by yet a different company, and optionally othergroups of related products depicted in additional regions (not shown)may comprise products made by still different companies. Scale 1(depicted in a different region 42) may comprise a depiction of a commoncharacteristic (e.g., a feature, a benefit, an attribute) of ProductGroup A, Product Group B, Product Group C, and any optional additionalgroups of related products. In this instance, the products depicted inthe first region 41, the second region 43, the third region 45, and anyoptional additional regions (not shown) are positioned within theirrespective regions so that the individual products line up with thevalue on Scale 1 that represents the product's particular characteristic(e.g., absorbent capacity or other such feature, attribute, or benefit).In this manner, a consumer may easily determine how a product made byone company compares to a product made by two or more differentcompanies (e.g., how the absorbent capacity of a group of products madeby one company compares to the absorbent capacity of groups of productsmade by two or more different companies).

Referring to FIG. 4A, another configuration of a visual aid of thepresent disclosure is illustrated. The visual aid 50 comprises at leastsix different regions located on a medium 52. The regions are optionallyseparated by a space 51 between two or more of the regions. A firstregion 53 comprises a depiction of a first group of related products(e.g., Product Group A), a second region 55 comprises a depiction of asecond group of related products (e.g., Product Group B), a third region54 comprises a first scale of reference (e.g., Scale 1), a fourth region56 comprises a depiction of a third group of related products (e.g.,Product Group C), a fifth region 58 comprises a depiction of a fourthgroup of related products (e.g., Product Group D), and a sixth region 57comprises a second scale of reference (e.g., Scale 2). As discussedabove, the scale of reference typically comprises a depiction of acommon characteristic of the groups of related products that the scaleis being used to compare. The visual aid 50 illustrated in FIG. 4Acomprises two different scales of reference (e.g., Scale 1 and Scale 2).In this example, Scale 1 may comprise a depiction of a commoncharacteristic of the groups of products it is being used to compare, inthis instance a common characteristic of Product Group A and ProductGroup B, and Scale 2 may comprise a depiction of a common characteristicof the groups of products that it is being used to compare, in thisinstance a common characteristic of Product Group C and Product Group D.

Typically, the scale of reference and the groups of products the scaleis being used to compare are grouped together in the visual aid in somemanner, to allow for easier comparison. For example, as can be seen fromFIG. 4A, the region 54 comprising Scale 1 may be positioned so that itis adjacent to the two regions 53, 55 depicting the groups of productsthat Scale 1 is being used to compare (e.g., Product Group A and ProductGroup B). Alternately, as illustrated in FIGS. 4B, 4C, and 4D, theregion 54 comprising Scale 1 may be positioned so that it is adjacent toonly one of the first region 53 or the second region 55. A similarpositioning may be used for the region 57 comprising Scale 2 and the tworegions 56, 58 depicting the groups of products that Scale 2 is beingused to compare (e.g., Product Group C and Product Group D). Likediscussed above, the products depicted in the first region 53 and thesecond region 55 are positioned within their respective regions so thatthe individual products line up with the value on the scale in the thirdregion 54 that represents the product's particular characteristic (e.g.,some feature, attribute, or benefit of the product), and the productsdepicted in the fourth region 56 and the fifth region 58 are positionedwithin their respective regions so that the individual products line upwith the value on the scale in the sixth region 57 that represents theproduct's particular characteristic.

In another embodiment, the visual aid may be used to compare two or moregroups of related products using two or more different scales ofreference. For example, a first group of related products may becompared to a second group of related products (and optionally to athird, fourth, or other additional group of related products) using twoor more scales of reference. One example of this embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 5A. In FIG. 5A, the visual aid 60 comprises sixdifferent regions located on a medium 62. Two or more of the regions areoptionally separated by a space 61 between regions. A first region 63comprises a depiction of a first group of related products (e.g.,Product Group A), a second region 65 comprises a depiction of a secondgroup of related products (e.g., Product Group B), a third region 64comprises a first scale of reference (e.g., Scale 1), a fourth region 66comprises another depiction of the first group of related products(e.g., Product Group A), a fifth region 68 comprises another depictionof the second group of related products (e.g., Product Group B), and asixth region 67 comprises a second scale of reference (e.g., Scale 2).Scale 1 and Scale 2 may each comprise a depiction of a different commoncharacteristic the products in Product Group A and Product Group B. Byproviding two different scales of reference, the visual aid allows thesame two groups of related products to be compared according to morethan one characteristic. For example, Scale 1 may be used to compareProduct Group A and Product Group B according to price, and Scale 2 maybe used to compare Product Group A and Product Group B according to adifferent characteristic, e.g., absorbency or another such attribute,feature, or benefit.

The products depicted in the first region 63 and the second region 65are positioned within their respective regions so that the individualproducts line up with the value on the scale in the third region 64 thatrepresents the product's particular characteristic (e.g., some feature,attribute, or benefit of the product), and the products depicted in thefourth region 66 and the fifth region 68 are positioned within theirrespective regions so that the individual products line up with thevalue on the scale in the sixth region 67. When using thisconfiguration, it is typically advantageous to group the regionsdepicting the product groups to be compared with the region comprisingthe scale by which the comparison is made. Such grouping avoidsconfusion when the visual aid comprises multiple scales of reference.For example, referring again to FIG. 5A, the third region 64 comprisingScale 1 may be positioned so that it is adjacent to the two regions 63,65 depicting the groups of products that are being compared usingScale 1. Alternately, as illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D, the region64 comprising Scale 1 may be positioned so that it is adjacent to onlyone of these regions 63, 65. A similar positioning may be used for theregion 67 comprising Scale 2 and the two regions 66, 68 depicting thegroups of products that are being compared using Scale 2.

In another embodiment, the visual aid may be used to compare one groupof related products using two or more different scales of reference. Forexample, a group of related products may be evaluated according todifferent characteristics, using two or more scales of reference thateach depict a different characteristic of the group of related products.Such a comparison is particularly useful when a consumer is interestedin determining what product best satisfies a mixture of differentcharacteristics.

One example of this embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6A. In FIG. 6A,the visual aid 70 comprises four different regions located on a medium72. Two or more of the regions are optionally separated by a space 71between regions. A first region 73 comprises a depiction of a group ofrelated products (e.g., Product Group A), a second region 74 comprises afirst scale of reference (e.g., Scale 1) that comprises a depiction of afirst characteristic of Product Group A, a third region 75 comprisesanother depiction of Product Group A, and a fourth region 76 comprises asecond scale of reference (e.g., Scale 2) that comprises a depiction ofa second characteristic of Product Group A. Preferably, Scale 1 andScale 2 each comprise a depiction of a different characteristic of theproducts in Product Group A. By providing two different scales ofreference, the visual aid allows the same group of related products tobe compared according to more than one characteristic. For example,Scale 1 may be used to depict the price of Product Group A, and Scale 2may be used to depict a different characteristic of Product Group A,such as absorbency or another such attribute, feature, or benefit.

The products depicted in the first region 73 are positioned within theregion so that the individual products line up with the value on thescale in the second region 74, and the products depicted in the thirdregion 75 are positioned within the region so that the individualproducts line up with the value on the scale in the fourth region 76.When using this configuration, it is typically advantageous to group theregions so that the first region 73 is adjacent to the second region 74,and the third region 75 is adjacent to the fourth region 76. Thisgrouping helps to avoid confusion when the visual aid comprises multiplescales of reference. Optionally, the visual aid may further compriseadditional regions comprising still different scales of reference thatare positioned on the visual aid adjacent to regions comprising adepiction of the products in Product Group A lined up along the scales.

In addition to the visual aid configurations specifically illustratedherein, one skilled in the art would understand that the visual aids mayhave other configurations, and may comprise multiple regions depictingadditional groups of related products and additional scales ofreference.

The transition aids described herein may be present on a variety ofdifferent media. For example, the visual aids may be present on any formof printed media including, for example, newspapers, pamphlets,magazines, displays, and various forms of advertisements, such asbillboards, posters, banners, flyers, other forms of direct-mail orout-of-home media, and the like. The transition aid may also be presenton an electronic medium, such as a television, a computer screen,personal data assistant, cellular telephone, an internet display, andthe like.

In one particular embodiment, the transition aid may be present as partof an in-store display or shelf set located in the general proximity ofan absorbent product depicted in the transition aid. In one example ofthis embodiment, the display may be located between two or more shelvesof products, with one or more shelf having one group of related productsdepicted in the transition aid, and another shelf or shelves havinganother group of related products depicted in the transition aid. Thescale of reference provided by the transition aid allows for easycomparison between the groups of related products. The in-store displaymay be some form of printed material, or optionally, may be aninteractive display, as described below.

In a preferred embodiment, an absorbent article, an absorbent articlewrapper, and/or a package of absorbent articles may comprise atransition aid. Absorbent articles may optionally be folded and/orindividually packaged in various ways. For example, the absorbentarticles may be folded and placed in an individual envelope or wrapper,or in other operative individual packaging. The wrapper may be formedfrom a separate piece of wrapper material using any methods known in theart. For example, the wrapper may be formed by sealing together variousportions of a wrapper material in order to form an individual envelopeor pouch that may encase the absorbent article. The wrapper generallycomprises an interior and an exterior side, with the interior sidefacing the absorbent article and forming a hollow interior for receivingthe absorbent article. The wrapper may be sealed by heat-sealing, bycrimp sealing, and/or by using a suitable adhesive, among other means.Such methods of sealing are commonly known in the art. In certainembodiments, the wrapper may optionally comprise opening aids, such asgrasping means in the form of flaps, fins, tear strips, or the like,which increase ease of opening of the package by improving accessibilityof an end edge of the wrapper material. In this instance, the wrapper isgenerally opened by pulling on a free edge of the wrapper material,which breaks the sealing of the wrapper (e.g., breaks an adhesivelysealed wrapper), thus allowing the absorbent article to be removed fromthe wrapper.

The wrapping layer can comprise any operative material. For example, thewrapping material can comprise a polymer film, a woven fabric, anonwoven fabric, paper, cardboard, a composite laminate or the like, andcombinations thereof.

An absorbent article may also be grouped together with several otherabsorbent articles to form a package of absorbent articles. The packagesmay comprise a plurality of the absorbent articles, preferably two ormore individual absorbent articles, and more preferably comprise eight,ten, or twenty absorbent articles per package. The absorbent articlesthat are packaged together may be individually wrapped, as discussedabove, or optionally may be packaged unwrapped. In one embodiment, thepackage of absorbent articles comprises a plurality of the same type ofabsorbent article (e.g., a package of napkins, a package of tampons,etc.). Alternately, the package of absorbent articles may comprise morethan one type of absorbent article packaged together (e.g., a packagecomprising tampons, napkins, panty liners, and combinations thereof).

The package may comprise a soft or hard packaging material. Softpackaging includes flexible envelopes and packages made of sheet plasticand/or paper. Hard packaging includes generally less flexible packagesmade of plastic (e.g., tubs and buckets), metal or cardboard, andcombinations thereof. Examples of suitable packaging materials include,for example, paper, cardboards, polymeric materials, coated paper,composite structures, or any other suitable packaging material. Thepackage can have any operative configuration. For example, the packagemay comprise a bag, a carton, a container, a box, or the like, as wellas combinations thereof. The various panels of the package can beflexible panels, rigid panels, semi-rigid panels, or the like, as wellas combinations thereof. As discussed above with respect to wrappers,the package may also be formed by sealing together various portions of apackaging material (i.e., a packaging) in order to form a packageencasing the absorbent articles. The packaging generally comprises aninterior and an exterior side, with the interior side facing theabsorbent articles and forming a hollow interior for receiving theabsorbent articles. In certain embodiments, the package may comprise anopening mechanism, which provides access to the absorbent articles. Suchopening mechanisms include, for example, a perforated section ofpackaging, a grasping means in the form of flaps, fins, tear strips, orthe like, which increase ease of opening of the package by improvingaccessibility of an end edge of the package material, and combinationsthereof.

The transition aid may be packaged with a plurality of absorbentarticles and contained in the hollow interior of the packaging and/ormay be wrapped with an individual absorbent article and contained in thehollow interior of the wrapper. Alternately or in addition, thetransition aid may be on a removable release material, such as aremovable label, peel strip, tear strip, or other removable layer thatmay be attached to the absorbent article, the wrapper, and/or thepackage. For example, the transition aid may be located on an exposedsurface of a removable release material, which is arranged to faceoutwardly toward the consumer. Alternately, the transition aid may bepositioned on an interior surface of the removable release material,such that it is exposed to the consumer only upon removal of theremovable release material. In one embodiment, the transition aid may bepositioned on a removable release material used to cover a garmentadhesive used to adhere an absorbent article to the undergarments of awearer.

In one particular embodiment, a transition aid is present on theexterior of a package of absorbent articles. In this instance, thetransition aid may be created by marking the package so that thetransition aid is visually perceptible and understandable to theconsumer. The markings can be applied on the package by printing,embossing, die-cutting, application of a discrete label on which thetransition aid is located or, in general, by any other physical changein the form or character of the package such as to make the markingsvisually noticeable and understandable to the consumer. Optionally,there may be cut lines and/or perforations around the transition aidlocated on the package, to enable a consumer to remove the transitionaid from the package or wrapper.

In instances where the transition aid is found on an absorbent article,an absorbent article wrapper, and/or on a package of absorbent articles,the absorbent article will typically be one of the products depicted onthe transition aid. The scale or scales of reference provided by thetransition aid allows a consumer to compare a characteristic(s) of thatparticular absorbent article to other absorbent articles depicted on thetransition aid. In certain embodiments, the depiction of the absorbentarticle may be highlighted or otherwise emphasized for easieridentification of the absorbent article on the transition aid.Optionally, the transition aid may be removed from the absorbentarticle, wrapper, and/or package and taken with the consumer to thestore to aid the consumer in the selection of a new absorbent product orin the transition to a new absorbent product.

The present disclosure also provides various methods for assisting aconsumer in transitioning from a current absorbent product to a futureabsorbent product. Such methods are typically interactive, i.e., theconsumer has input on the selection and/or formation of the transitionaid that is provided to the consumer. In this manner, the consumer isprovided with a transition aid specifically designed for his or herneeds.

Generally, such methods involve receiving personal information from theconsumer about at least one need of the consumer and providing theconsumer with a transition aid, such as those described herein, that iscustomized for the consumer. More particularly, the method typicallycomprises receiving personal information from the consumer about atleast one need of the consumer, receiving information from the consumerabout an absorbent product currently used by the consumer, selecting afirst group of related absorbent products that comprise the currentabsorbent product choice of the consumer, optionally selecting at leastone additional group of related absorbent products, and providing theconsumer with a transition aid.

The method may alternately or additionally comprise receivinginformation about the availability of products from a store, a retailer,or another institution that provides products to consumers. In thisinstance the at least one additional group of related absorbent productstypically comprises products that are available from a particular store.In this manner, a consumer may receive a customized transition aid thatallows the consumer to determine what absorbent products available at aparticular store are most suitable for his or her needs.

The information received from the consumer typically relates to one ormore need of the consumer. For example, if a consumer is transitioningto or from an incontinence product, the information provided by theconsumer may be information about the situation the user of theincontinence product is experiencing. Such information includes, forexample, information about the incontinent person's self-recognition ofincontinence of urine (e.g., very low, somewhat low, almost normal,normal), the incontinent person's tendency for removal of a disposableabsorbent article (e.g., not removed by oneself, removed by oneself whenshould not, removed from oneself when should), the incontinent person'sability to be active in daily living (e.g., bedridden, can lift thehip/lie at side, can sit, can stand, can walk slowly, can walk), thebody form balance of an incontinent person (e.g., thinner at thighs andnormal waist, big and/or fat, normal), the body set of the incontinentperson (e.g., can not open legs, cannot bend leg, etc.), the contents ofthe leakage (e.g., urine only, feces only, urine and feces), when and/orhow urine incontinence occurs (e.g., stringingly, within short periodafter desire of urination, when pressure applied to stomach), thedischarging speed of urine (e.g., trickle, low speed, high speed), thedischarging amount of urine into a disposable absorbent article (e.g.,all, about half, some, a little, fundamentally all is into toilet, allis into toilet), the kind and/or type of disposable absorbent articleused by the incontinent person, the changing frequency of the disposableabsorbent articles used by the incontinent person within a specifiedtime period, the discharged amount of urine per one disposable absorbentarticle by an incontinent person (e.g., fully wet, half wet, quarter orbelow wet), the position of leakage if any from a disposable absorbentarticle worn by an incontinent person (e.g., front-center, back-center,legs, sides), the frequency and/or amount of feces which are dischargedby an incontinent person into a disposable absorbent article, and othersuch information.

If a consumer is transitioning to or from a diaper or a training pant,the information provided by the consumer may be information relating tothe diaper or training pant user's stage of development or mobility,such as prelocomotive stage (e.g., newborns and other immobile infantswith a level of activity of little more than head raising or rollingover), crawling stage (e.g., toddlers that can sit, scoot, roll, and/orcrawl), exploring stage (e.g., toddlers who can stand, walk, begin torun), learning stage (e.g., toddlers capable of doing things bythemselves such as dressing and developing coordination which enablesthem to walk and run without losing balance), and training stage (e.g.,toddlers undergoing toilet training).

If a consumer is transitioning to or from a feminine hygiene product,the information provided by the user may include information relating tobody size (e.g., petite, small, medium, large), flow intensity(including information about flow intensity indicators such as age, typeof birth control used, number of pregnancies, consumer's self-perceptionof her flow intensity), period duration and volume, experienced soilingpatterns (e.g., rarely soil ends/sides, occasionally soil ends/sides,often soil ends/sides, almost always soil ends/sides), panty size, hipsize, clothing size in general, body mass index, other anthropometricinformation, panty style (e.g., “thong” style, “bikini” style, “hipster”style, “French cut” or “high cut,” “briefs,” etc.), preferredcharacteristics of the product, such as product absorbency, productthicknesses, product lengths, types of product features (e.g.,wings/non-wings), and other such information.

Optionally, general information about the consumer may also be provided.The general information about the consumer includes, for example, theconsumer's name, the consumer's ID number, the e-mail address and/orphone number of the consumer, the consumer's sex and age, informationabout prior purchases of the consumer, etc. Such information may be usedto identify the consumer and, in certain instances, access informationpreviously provided by the consumer.

In addition to information about the consumer's needs, the consumer mayalso provide information about the absorbent product currently beingused by the consumer. Such information may include, for example,information about various characteristics of the current product such asthe current product type (e.g., tampon, incontinence pad, panty liner,etc.), the current brand, the company that manufactures the product,price, and/or specific features, attributes, and benefits of the currentproduct, as discussed herein.

The information is typically received from the consumer through aninteractive means. For example, the consumer may input information intoa user interface (e.g., speaking the information, selecting theappropriate information from a menu of items in a graphical userinterface, typing in a code, product name, or other information,pressing a button specific to a certain piece of information, using aninteractive menu-driven phone system, etc.). A user interface mayinclude, for example, a mobile, cellular telephone; an electronic,personal data assistant; an electronic computer configured with anoperative user-interface, such as a graphical user interface; a website;an electronic display; or the like. In one embodiment, an interactivecomputer can prompt a consumer to input several key pieces ofinformation about his or her needs and current product choice.

In one embodiment, the information received from the consumer will be inresponse to questions. The consumer's response to these questions maythen be used to formulate a customized transition aid for the consumer.These questions may be focused on gathering information about theconsumer's needs, such as the information described above. Furthermore,these questions may be asked of the consumer in any suitable fashion,for example, via interactive site on the World Wide Web, an interactivein-store display or interactive computer, or through the use of aninteractive menu-driven phone system.

In one embodiment, the transition aid provided to the consumer may, forexample, be based on a profile, segment, and/or classification ofconsumers generally. That is, the entire group of consumers havingsimilar needs may be separated into distinct categories for whichsuitable transition aids may be provided. These categories may beidentified as profile, segment, and/or classification. This separationinto profile, segment, and/or classification may be produced in anysuitable fashion, including but not limited to, questions asked ofconsumers, such as questions about habits, traits, personality, and/orresponses to visual situations and/or images of the consumers. Theprofile, segment, and/or classification into which a particular consumerbelongs to may be similarly performed. Questions similar to those usedin identifying the profile, segment, and/or classification may be usedto generate the customized transition aid for the consumer depending onwhich profile, segment, and/or classification the consumer belongs to.These questions, for example, may be based on habits, traits,personality, and/or responses to visual situations and/or images of theconsumers. Suitable types of questions include questions designed togather psychographic information, demographic information, andphysiological information about the consumer.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerouscombinations of either individual questions or groups of questions maybe asked in order to collect sufficient information to provide the basisfor generating a transition aid for any particular consumer. The precisemanner and wording chosen to collect this information from the consumermay vary depending on local custom, the comfort level consumers in aparticular area may have in answering questions pertaining to theirneeds, and the shades of meaning associated with terms which may be usedin different parts of the world to collect the information desired. Itis to be further understood that the methods of the present disclosureare not to be limited to any one type of question asking methodology orphilosophy.

In instances where information is received from a store about theavailability of products, the information is typically receivedelectronically. For example, the information may be received byaccessing a database that contains information about productavailability at a particular store or stores.

Once the information has been received from the consumer, a first groupof related absorbent products may be selected. Typically, the firstgroup of related products comprises the current product choice of theconsumer. The first group of related products may be related to eachother according to any of a variety of different productcharacteristics, such as those discussed herein. The first group ofabsorbent products and the particular characteristic or characteristicsby which the products are related may be selected by the consumer (e.g.,by the consumer inputting the choice into the user interface), oralternately, may be automatically generated based on the informationreceived from the consumer about his or her needs and/or the currentproduct choice.

Optionally, at least one additional group of related products may alsobe selected. In certain instances, this group or groups of relatedproducts may comprise the consumer's future product choice. Theadditional group or groups of related products may be related to eachother according to any of a variety of different productcharacteristics, such as those discussed herein. Typically, thecharacteristic by which the products are related is either selected bythe consumer (e.g., by the consumer inputting the choice into the userinterface), or alternately, is automatically selected based oninformation received from the consumer about his or her needs. Likewise,the particular products in the additional group may be products selectedby the consumer, or may be automatically determined based on theinformation received from the consumer. For example, if a consumer isinterested in determining how his or her current product choice comparesto another particular product or group of products, the consumer mayselect a first group of related products that comprises his or hercurrent product choice and an additional group or groups of relatedproducts that comprise the product or products the consumer wishes tocompare. In certain embodiments, the additional group or groups ofrelated products may be selected based on the availability of theproducts at a particular store.

The consumer may then be provided with a transition aid. Typically, thetransition aid is displayed on the user interface. In one embodiment,the transition aid comprises a first region comprising a depiction ofthe first group of related absorbent products, a second regioncomprising a depiction of at least one additional group of relatedabsorbent products, and a third region comprising at least one scale ofreference. The scale of reference comprises a depiction of a commoncharacteristic of both the first group of related absorbent products andof the additional group or groups of related absorbent products. Thecharacteristic depicted in the scale of reference may be chosen by theconsumer, or alternately, may be automatically selected based on theinformation received from the consumer. Like discussed above, thedepiction of each of the absorbent products in the first and theadditional regions is positioned along the scale of reference so thatthe depiction of the product lines up in some manner with thecorresponding markings on the scale of reference. It will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art that the transition aid provided may haveany of a variety of configurations depending on the products selected,the information received from the consumer, and/or the desiredcomparisons to be made. The consumer may then compare his or her currentabsorbent product to other absorbent products on the market using thetransition aid provided.

In one embodiment, the method may optionally further compriserecommending a future absorbent product choice to the consumer.Typically, the recommended future absorbent product choice is among theproducts in the additional group or groups of related products depictedin the transition aid. The recommendation is generally based on theinformation received from the consumer about his or her needs.

Optionally, the consumer may be offered a choice of purchasing therecommended product. For example, the consumer may opt to have therecommended product delivered to the consumer by means of a deliverysystem, such as the United States Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, etc.

Having described the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing from thescope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferredembodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of thedisclosure are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above products and methodswithout departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for creating a package comprising atransition aid for transitioning a consumer from an absorbent product ina first product category to an absorbent product in a second productcategory, the method comprising: selecting a first absorbent product inthe first product category; selecting, by a processor, a secondabsorbent product in the second product category, wherein the firstabsorbent product and the second absorbent product have a commoncharacteristic; and creating a package for the first absorbent product,wherein the package comprises: a plurality of the first absorbentproduct; at least one sample of the second absorbent product; and atransition aid, the transition aid comprising a first region comprisinga depiction of the first absorbent product, a second region comprising adepiction of the second absorbent product, and a third region comprisingat least one scale of reference comprising a depiction of the commoncharacteristic of both the first absorbent product and the secondabsorbent product, wherein the depiction of each of the first absorbentproduct and the second absorbent product is positioned along the scaleto indicate the common characteristics of each of the first absorbentproduct and the second absorbent product.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein selecting a first absorbent product in a first product categorycomprises receiving a selection of the first absorbent product in thefirst product category from the consumer.
 3. The method of claim 2,further comprising receiving, from the consumer, a selection of thecommon characteristic that each of the first absorbent product and thesecond absorbent product is to share.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising receiving at least one feature designated by the consumer asbeing a desired feature the second absorbent product should include, andwherein the common characteristic of the first absorbent product and thesecond absorbent product includes the at least one desired feature. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein the common characteristic comprises oneor more of the following: a feature, a benefit, an attribute, a brand, acompany, and a manufacturer.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstabsorbent product and the second absorbent product are one or more ofthe following: diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products, andfeminine hygiene products.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprisingenabling the consumer to purchase the created package.
 8. A system forcreating a package comprising a transition aid for transitioning aconsumer from an absorbent product in a first product category to anabsorbent product in a second product category, the system comprising: acomputing device; and a processor programmed to: receive, from theconsumer, a selection of a first absorbent product in the first productcategory; select a second absorbent product in the second productcategory, wherein the first absorbent product and the second absorbentproduct have a common characteristic; and provide instructions to createa package for the first absorbent product, wherein the packagecomprises: a plurality of the first absorbent product; at least onesample of the second absorbent product; and a transition aid, thetransition aid comprising a first region comprising a depiction of thefirst absorbent product, a second region comprising a depiction of thesecond absorbent product, and a third region comprising at least onescale of reference comprising a depiction of the common characteristicof both the first absorbent product and the second absorbent product,wherein the depiction of each of the first absorbent product and thesecond absorbent product is positioned along the scale to indicate thecommon characteristics of each of the first absorbent product and thesecond absorbent product.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein theprocessor is further programmed to receive, from the consumer, aselection of the common characteristic that each of the first absorbentproduct and the second absorbent product is to share.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the processor is further programmed to receive at leastone feature designated by the consumer as being a desired feature thesecond absorbent product should include, and wherein the commoncharacteristic of the first absorbent product and the second absorbentproduct includes the at least one desired feature.
 11. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the common characteristic comprises one or more of thefollowing: a feature, a benefit, an attribute, a brand, a company, and amanufacturer.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the first absorbentproduct and the second absorbent product are one or more of thefollowing: diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products, andfeminine hygiene products.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein theprocessor is further programmed to receive a purchase order from theconsumer, the purchase order comprising a request to purchase one ormore of the created package.
 14. A package comprising: a plurality of afirst absorbent product from a first product category; and a transitionaid, the transition aid comprising a first region comprising a depictionof the first absorbent product, a second region comprising a depictionof a second absorbent product from a second product category wherein thefirst absorbent product and the second absorbent product have a commoncharacteristic, and a third region comprising at least one scale ofreference comprising a depiction of the common characteristic of boththe first absorbent product and the second absorbent product, whereinthe depiction of each of the first absorbent product and the secondabsorbent product is positioned along the scale to indicate the commoncharacteristics of each of the first absorbent product and the secondabsorbent product.
 15. The package of claim 14, wherein the at least onescale depicts a range of values for the common characteristic of thefirst absorbent product and the second absorbent product.
 16. Thepackage of claim 14, further comprising a second scale of referencecomprising a depiction of a second common characteristic of the firstabsorbent product and the second absorbent product.
 17. The package ofclaim 14, wherein the common characteristic comprises one or more of thefollowing: a feature, a benefit, an attribute, a brand, a company, and amanufacturer.
 18. The package of claim 14, wherein the first absorbentproduct and the second absorbent product are one of the following:diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products, feminine hygieneproducts.
 19. The package of claim 14, wherein the transition aid is:located on an exterior of the package; within a hollow interior of thepackage, wrapped within one or more of the plurality of the firstabsorbent product, and/or wrapped within the at least one sample of thesecond absorbent product.
 20. The package of claim 19, wherein thetransition aid may be located on a removable release material, andwherein the transition aid is further located on one or more of thefollowing: an exposed surface of the removable release material, suchthat the transition aid is arranged to face outwardly toward theconsumer; an interior surface of the removable release material, suchthat the transition aid is exposed to the consumer only upon removal ofthe removable release material; and a material used to cover a garmentadhesive used to adhere one of the plurality of the first absorbentproducts or to the at least one sample of the second absorbent productof a wearer.